Abstract
Background: Toxic element exposure and essential trace element consumption may have changed after the Chinese economy transformed to a market-oriented system. The objectives of this study were to measure urinary concentrations of toxic (arsenic, cadmium, lead) and essential trace (selenium, zinc, copper) elements among rural residents in Hainan, China and to examine if variations in economic development are linked to differences in toxic and trace element exposure. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey and undertook anthropometric measurements of residents aged ≥20 years (n = 599). Urinary samples were collected and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The median (μg/g creatinine) element concentrations were: arsenic, 73.2; cadmium, 1.8; lead, 3.1; selenium, 36.5; zinc, 371; and copper, 11.0. Intra-community variation in element concentrations was explained by age (arsenic, cadmium, zinc and copper), sex (arsenic, cadmium and selenium: higher in females; zinc: higher in males), body mass index (cadmium) and individual involvement in the market economy as indexed by agrochemical use (lead and selenium). The degree of community-level economic development, which was determined by the proportion of people living in better housing among the study communities, was positively associated with cadmium concentration. Conclusions: The degree of community-level economic development was positively associated with urinary cadmium concentration while individual involvement in the market economy was positively associated with lead and selenium.
Highlights
Exposure to toxic elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) is associated with various health problems
As a part of a cross-border research project (Environment Research in Rural Asia—ENVRERA), which aimed to elucidate the health consequences of rapid lifestyle change, especially as regards the introduction of chemical substances among rural residents in seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region, this study investigated the urinary excretion of toxic (As, Cd, and Pb) and essential trace (Se, Zn, and Cu) elements in several rural farming communities of Hainan Island, China, where economic development has been mainly driven by the introduction of modern agriculture and partly, by the development of tourism
This study aimed to (1) describe the urinary concentrations of toxic (As, Cd, and Pb) and essential trace (Se, Zn, and Cu) elements among rural residents of Hainan Island, China; and (2) to examine if variations in economic development are linked to differences in toxic and trace element exposure among them
Summary
Exposure to toxic elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) is associated with various health problems. Impaired neurological development has been linked to Pb exposure [5,6]. Toxic element exposure and essential trace element consumption may have changed after the Chinese economy transformed to a market-oriented system. The objectives of this study were to measure urinary concentrations of toxic (arsenic, cadmium, lead) and essential trace (selenium, zinc, copper) elements among rural residents in Hainan, China and to examine if variations in economic development are linked to differences in toxic and trace element exposure. Results: The median (μg/g creatinine) element concentrations were: arsenic, 73.2; cadmium, 1.8; lead, 3.1; selenium, 36.5; zinc, 371; and copper, 11.0.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
